The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is fully prepared to process and take custody of fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co following reports of his arrest at the border between Germany and the Czech Republic.
In a pres briefing in Camp Crame on Monday, April 20, PNP spokesperson PBGen. Randulf Tuaño said the organization is already coordinating with its intelligence units and police attachés in Europe, who are working with embassies and foreign counterparts to facilitate Co’s turnover to Philippine authorities, as reported by RH Edniel Parrosa on DZRH's Rapido Hataw Balita.
Over the weekend, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla reportedly instructed the PNP to prepare for Co’s possible arrival in the country, according to Tuaño.
“Noong weekend na po ay nagbigay na po ng kautusan ang ating pong SILG [Jonvic Remulla] kay PNP na paghandaan ang pagdating ng nasabing dating congressman pagdating sa Pilipinas,” Tuaño said. “Handang-handa na po ang Philippine National Police pagdating dito po sa ating sa bansang Pilipinas.”
According to the PNP, once Co is returned to the Philippines, he will be immediately turned over to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for initial processing, including fingerprinting, medical examination, and physical assessment.
The CIDG, together with the PNP Intelligence Group, will handle the initial custody procedures upon arrival, Tuaño said.
“[Ang] ating Intelligence Group kasama po ang CIDG…na kung saan pagdating po dito sa Pilipinas, kapag binigyan ng kautusan ang Philippine National Police, kaagad po ay nai-diretso dito sa CIDG para sa kakulang proseso, katulad ng pang-fingerprint, medical, and physical examination,” he said.
From there, he is expected to be brought to Camp Crame for booking procedures such as mugshot-taking and further documentation before being presented to the Sandiganbayan, which will determine his detention arrangements.
Authorities said Co will not be detained at the PNP custodial facility, which remains under renovation. Instead, the Sandiganbayan will designate his detention facility.
The former congressman has been wanted in the Philippines for nearly nine months. On Novermber 2025, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. annouced that arrest warrants have been issued for Co by the anti-graft court.
He faces graft and malversation charges linked to alleged irregularities in a P289.5-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. Authorities said that the project was connected to Co’s ties with contractor Sunwest Inc., and is part of a broader scheme involving questionable infrastructure projects.
The PNP said its role is strictly limited to coordination and custody procedures once Co is repatriated.
“So ang role na lang po natin as to the details ng kanyang pagdating dito sa Pilipinas,” Tuaño said.
Aside from Co, six other accused individuals remain at large. Among them are two executives linked to San Jose who were reportedly last seen in New York and New Zealand, according to authorities tracking the case.
